Feeder valve



Nov. 9, 1954 L.. J. KMlEclK Erm.

FEEDER VALVE Filed Oct. 13, 1951 I2l/IVVENTO l 27u@ Maids United States Patent C) M assignors to McDonnell & Miller, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Delaware Application October 13, 1951, Serial No. 251,222

9 Claims. (Cl. 137-443) The present invention relates to valves for controlling ow of fluids and particularly to feeder valves for controlling ow of fluids to reservoirs or the like, in response to actuation by liquid level responsive means positioned in the reservoir.

Feeder valves of the general character described are well known and have been utilized for years for the purpose stated. The valves, however, have suffered the disadvantage of being expensive of manufacture if eliicient in operation, or, of being inefficient in operation if economical of manufacture. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved feeder valve of simplified design having optimum operating characteristics and extreme economy of design and construction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved feeder valve formed from standard bar stock in a minimum number of machine operations to provide a valve of economical construction and design.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an improved valve of simplified construction particularly adapted for positive actuation by liquid level responsive means to provide accurate control of the liquid inlet means governed by the valve.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of an improved feeder valve of simplified construction and means for positively actuating same in response to variations in liquid level to provide accurate control of the liquid level in a reservoir or the like.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a vertical cross-sectional view of the feeder valve of the present invention, showing a float associated therewith for actuating same;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the feeder valve of the present invention, a portion of the body being broken away to show the valve actuating means; and

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Figure l.

Referring now to the drawings, the feeder valve of the present invention is shown as having a body member comprising a length of standard solid bar stock. The body may be formed of any standard bar stock, but is preferably formed of polygonal bar stock so that the exterior surfaces of the body may be received by a conventional wrench for securing the body to the wall of a tank or the like. Accordingly, it is preferred that the body member 10 be formed of standard hexagonal bar stock for the purpose stated. The body is machined at one end to provide a reduced cylindrical extension 12 which is provided with suitable external screw threads. A bore 14 is formed axially of the body member in the cylindrical extension and is preferably prol vided with a standard internal pipe thread for the reception of a liquid conducting inlet pipe. At its opposite end, the body 10 is provided with an offset or eccentric bore 16, preferably so positioned that the axis thereof is aligned with portions of the bore 14. The bore 16 is formed in the body 10 so as to provide an upstanding stem or valve seat portion 18 at the inner end or bottom of the bore. The body member is provided with a third bore 20 preferably disposed axially of the eccentric bore 16 and establishing communication between the eccentric bore 16 and the axial bore 14 and defining the valve seat 18. The third bore 20 may be formed in the body member as desired, or as required, should the re- 2,693,817 Patented Nov. 9, 1954 lationship stated as being preferred be departed from l and, likewise, the bore 14 need not be disposed axially of the body member. However, the relationship of the bores 14, 16 and 20, stated hereinbefore as being preferable, will result in a definite economy of manufacture of the body member 10. At the end opposite the re duced cylindrical extension 12, the body 10 is provided with a transverse slot 22 extending across the entire diameter of the body. In manufacture, the body member is preferably formed in any conventional manner from polygonal bar stock by rst machining the body to form the reduced extension 12, the bore 14 therein and the external and internal threads thereon. The bores 16 and 20 are machined in a second operation and the slot 22 is formed in a third operation.

The valve member of the feeder valve of the present invention is indicated generally at 24 and comprises a member formed of standard polygonal bar stock adapted to be slidably or reciprocally mounted in the eccentric bore 16 of the body member 10. The valve member 24 is formed of polygonal bar stock so that the edges of the bar stock will engage the walls of the eccentric bore 16 to provide a support and guide means for the valve member 24 and to provide space between the walls of the bore 16 and the flats or lands of the bar stock for the passage of liquid from the axial bore 14. In View of the functions thereof, the valve member 24 is preferably formed of standard square bar stock so as to provide substantial areas for the passage of liquid between the walls of the bore 16 and the lands or flats of the bar stock. The four points of engagement between the valve member 24 and the bore 16, provided by standard square bar stock, are sufficient to support and accurately guide the valve member within the bore 16.

YThe valve member 24 is provided at one end with a transverse slot 26 and at its opposite end with a suitable bore or recess 30. The bore or recess 30 is adapted for the reception of a cylindrical plug of resilient sealing material adapted to engage the valve seat 18 to seal the port 20. The transverse slot 26 in the valve member 24 provides a pair of spaced legs at one end of the valve member and it is preferred that a bore be formed in each of these legs for the reception of a rivet 28 extending across the slot 26 and secured to the legs formed by the slot. The valve member 24 is preferably formed by first providing the transverse slot 26 and the bore 30 and then inserting and securing the sealing means 32 in the bore 30.

The slot 22 in the body member 10 is formed of suflicient depth so that the slotted portion of the valve member 24 is received within the slotted portion 22 of the body 10. The slot 22 in the body 10 provides a pair of rearwardly projecting legs on the body and it is preferred that each of the legs be provided with a hole, to that side of the body member opposite the eccentricity of the eccentric bore 16, for the reception of a` pivot pin .34, which may be suitably secured to the body member 10 in any customary manner.

An L-shaped lever 36, in the nature of a bell crank lever, is pivotally mounted at its central portion on the pivot pin 34 so that the lever is pivoted to the body member 10 to the side of the body opposite the eccentricity of the eccentric bore 16. The slot 22 in the body member 10 is of such width as to readily receive the lever 36 to confine the lever against lateral movement but to accommodate movement of the lever about pin 34. The lever 36 is bifuracted at one end thereof, as indicated at 38, which end portion extends toward the eccentric bore 16 and is adapted for the reception within the bifurcation thereof of the rivet or pin 28 to positively and operatively connect the lever 36 and the valve member 24. At its opposite end, the bell crank lever 36 is provided with an aperture for the reception of a rivet 40, or the like, by means of which a cylindrical head 42 may be secured to the lever 36. The cylindrical head 42 is preferably slotted at one end thereof for the reception of the end of the bell crank lever 36 and, if desired, the bell crank lever may be suitably slotted or recessed, as at 44, for the reception of the cylindrical head to prevent relative movement between the head and the lever. The rivet 40 suitably extends through the legs of the cylindrical head, provided by the slot therein, and through the bell crank, as isshown.

The cylindricai head 42 constitutes an attachment means for the reception of any suitable means for effecting actuation of the valve member 24 and is preferably provided with a threaded bore 46 for the reception of such actuating means. The actuating means, in accordance with the present invention, is preferably in the form of a rod 48, threaded at one end for securement in the threaded bore 46 and adapted at its other end for attachment for further actuating means, which, as is shown in Figure l, is preferably in the form of a fioat ball 50 of conventional design and structure. However, it will be appreciated that the bell crank lever 36 may be actuated in any suitable or conventional manner to effect actuation of the valve member 24.

In operation, pivotal movement of the bell crank lever 36, such as that occasioned in response to the rise and fall of the iioat ball 5t) in accordance with variations in liquid. level in a liquid reservoir, will effect positive actuation of the valve 24 in both directions of its movement due to the reception of the rivet or pin 28 of the valve in the bifurcated portion 3S of the `crank 26. The rivet 28 is preferably received within the bifurcated portion 38 of the lever 36 with little clearance so that there is no loss of motion in the actuation in the valve member 24. When the valve is moved to a position in which the port 20 is open for ow, liquid or the like conducted to the axial bore 14 through an inlet pipe will flow through the bore 20 and pass through the eccentric bore 16 past the valve member 24 and into the liquid reservoir or the like within which the valve is mounted. As the water enters the reservoir from the eccentric bore, same may tend to splash and squirt about with possible disadvantageous results. To prevent splashing, the valve is preferably provided with means for defiecting the liquid downwardly. To this end, the body 10 is provided in its upper surface with a transverse threaded bore 52 adapted for the reception of a screw 54 by means of which a liquid deiiector member 56 may be secured to the body 1f). The defiector 56 is preferably stamped from sheet metal and extends rearwardly over the transverse slot 22 in the body member to eliminate splashing and to provide protection for the bifurcated portion of the bell crank lever 36. The defiector 56 conveniently may also comprise a name plate for the valve, on which the manufacturers name and model number may be suitably affixed in the tamping operation resulting in the formation of the deector.

The reduced cylindrical portion 12 of the body 1) is provided on the body to form an abutment shoulder adapted to engage a Wall of the reservoir or the like within which the valve is received. The cylindrical portion 12 is adapted to extend through a suitable cylindrical aperture in the Wall of the reservoir and is adapted for the reception of a pair of metallic washers 58, a resilient washer or gasket member 60 and a nut 62 by means of which the valve may be suitably secured to the wall of the reservoir. For example, as shown in the figures, the wall of a reservoir tank is indicated at 64, the valve member being mounted thereon with one metal washer 58 engaging the shoulder defined by the reduced extension on the body 10, the resilient gasket 60 being confined between the washer and the reservoir wall, the other washer S8 engaging the opposite sides of the wall 64 and the valve member being secured to the Wall by means of the nut 62 threaded to the reduced cylindrical portion 12. The nut 62 is preferably hexagonal, asis the body 10, so that both the body and the nut may be grasped by wrenches to secure the valve to the Wall.

By forming the body member and valve member of the feeder valve of the present invention from conventional bar stock, external machining operations on the valve member and the body member are obviated to substantially reduce the cost of manufacture of the feeder valve. To further reduce the cost of the valve, the bore 16 is positioned eccentrically with respect to the body member 10 so that suitable means, in the form of a bell crank lever, may be pivotally secured to the body member to the side thereof opposite the eccentricity of the eccentric bore 16 to eliminate any necessity for separate means for attaching the actuating means to the body of the valve. The machining operations required on the various members of the valve are reduced to an absolute minimum so that the cost of manufacture and assembly of the valve are reduced to a minimum. While the formation of the valve is particularly economical, ecient operating characteristics of the valve are not in any way decreased, but are actually increased since the valve member 24 is positively and accurately guided within the eccentric bore 16 and is positively actuated by the bell crank lever 36 to effect uniform and positive actuation of the valve member in response to variations in iiquid level in the reservoir within which the valveis mounted. Accordingly, it will be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides an economical and efficient feeder valve adapted for a variety of purposes and particularly adapted for controlling admission of liquid to a liquid reservoir in response to variations in liquid level in the reservoir.

While we have described what we regard to be a preferred embodimentof our invention, itywill be apparent that various rearrangements, changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the invention,- as Avdefined bythe appended claims. .A -5

We claim:

.1. A feeder valve comprisingabodyformed of.

onal bar stock and having an axial bore at onecnd; an eccentric bore at the opposite end with the axes of the axial bore and eccentric b ore being arranged in spaced parallel relation and a third bore of a Alesser diameter than said eccentric ,bore establishing communication between said axial bore and said eccentric bore, .a valve member formed of polygonal bar stock mounted in said eccentric bore for reciprocal movement to open and close saidi third bore, and actuating means pivoted toA said body at said opposite end thereof .to the side, thereof opposite the eccentricity of said eccentric bore, said means beingoperatively associated with said valve memberto effect reciprocation thereof in response to movement of said means.

2. A feeder valve comprising a body formed of hexagonal bar stock and having an axial bore at. one :end and an eccentric bore at the opposite end communieating with said bore at said one end, the axesof the axial bore and eccentric `bore being arranged in spaced parallel relation, a valve member formed of square bar stock mounted in said eccentric bore with the corners thereof engaging the wall of said eccentric bore and the iiats thereof being spaced from the walls of said eccentric bore, said valve member being mounted in said eccentric` bore for reciprocal movement to establish or disestabiish communication between said eccentric bore and said bore at said one end of said body, and actuating means pivoted to said body at said opposite end thereof to the side thereof opposite the eccentricity of said eccentric bore, said means being operatively associated with said valve member to effect reciprocation thereof in response to movement of said means.

3. A feeder valve comprising: a unitary body having an axial bore in one end thereof, a transverse slot across the opposite end, an eccentric bore extending inwardly from said opposite end of said body, and a bore establishing communication between said axial bore and said eccentric bore and defining a valve seat at the bottom of said eccentric bore; a valve member mounted for reciprocation in said eccentric bore; resilient sealing means carried by said valve member at one end thereof for cooperation with said valve seat; said valve member having a transverse slot across the opposite end thereof; the slotted portion of said valve member extending into the slotted portion of said body; an actuating lever pivotedto said body within said slot to that side of the body oppositek the eccentricity of said eccentric bore; and a pin secured to said valve member and extending through the slot therein; said actuating lever havingv a bifurcated portion extending toward said eccentric bore for the reception of said pin to effect actuation of said valve member in response to movement of said lever.

4. A feeder valve comprising a body formed of polygonal bar stock and having an axial inlet bore in one end thereof, a transverse slot across the opposite end, an eccentric outlet bore extending from said opposite end of said body toward said axial bore, and a bore establishing communication between said axial bore and said eccentric bore and defining a valve seat at the bottom of said eccentric bore, a valve member formed of polygonal bar stock mounted for reciprocation in said bore, resilient sealing means carried by said valve member' at one end thereof for cooperation with said valve seat, said valve member having a transverse slot across the opposite end thereof, the slotted portion of said valve member extending into the slotted portion of said body, an actuating lever pivoted to said body within said slot therein to that side of the body opposite the eccentricity of said eccentric bore, a pin secured to said valve member and extending through the slot therein, said actuating lever having a bifurcated portion extending toward said eccentric bore for the reception of said pin to effect actuation of said valve member upon movement of said lever, and a deflector secured to said body at the side thereof opposite the pivotal connection of said lever to said body, said dellector extending over the slot in said body, the slot in said valve member and the bifurcated portion of said lever to prevent splashing of liquid passing through said eccentric bore past said valve member.

5. A feeder valve comprising a body having a reduced cylindrical end portion, said body having a bore in said cylindrical end portion disposed axially of said body and said end portion, said body having a transverse slot extending across the opposite end thereof, said body having an eccentric bore therein extending from said opposite end of said body toward said axial bore, the axes of the axial bore and eccentric bore being arranged in spaced parallel relation, said body having a bore therein of reduced diameter establishing communication between said eccentric bore and said axial bore and defining a valve seat at the end of said eccentric bore, a valve member mounted for reciprocation in said eccentric bore and having one end adapted for cooperation with said valve seat, said valve member having a transverse slot therein extending across the opposite end thereof, a lever pivoted to said body within said slot therein to one side of said eccentric bore and having a bifurcated end portion extending in to said slot in said valve member, a pin secured to said valve member and extending transversely across said slot therein and through the bifurcation of said lever, and an actuator rod secured to the opposite end of said lever for actuating said lever and said valve member.

6. A feeder valve comprising a body having a reduced cylindrical end portion, a bore formed axially of said body in said end portion, a transverse slot extending across the opposite end thereof, an eccentric bore extending from said opposite end of said body toward said axial bore and a port establishing communication between said eccentric bore and said axial bore and defining a valve seat at the end of said eccentric bore, a valve mounted in said eccentric bore for reciprocal movement and having one end thereof adapted for cooperation with l said valve seat, said valve member having a transverse slot therein extending across the opposite end thereof, a bell crank lever pivoted to said body within said slot to one side of said eccentric bore and having a bifurcated end portion extending in said slot in said valve member, a pin secured to said valve member and extending transversely across said slot therein and through the bifurcation of said bell crank lever, means for actuating said lever to effect reciprocal movement of said valve member toward and from said valve seat, and a liquid deector detachably secured to said body and extending over the end of said slot in said body opposite that to which said bell crank lever is pivoted.

7. A feeder valve comprising a body of hexagonal bar stock having an axial bore at one end thereof, a transverse slot extending across the opposite end thereof, an eccentric bore therein extending from said opposite end of said body toward said axial bore and a port establishing communication between said eccentric bore and said axial bore, the axes of the axial bore and eccentric bore being arranged in spaced parallel relation, a valve member mounted in said eccentric bore for reciprocal movement and having one end thereof adapted to open and close said port, said valve member having a transverse slot therein extending across the opposite end thereof, a bell crank lever pivoted to said body within said slot to that side of the body opposite the eccentricity of the said eccentric bore, a pin secured to said valve member and extending transversely across said slot therein, said bell crank lever having a bifurcated end portion extending into said slot in said valve member and receiving said pin to operatively connect said valve member to said bell crank lever, and a cylindrical head secured to the opposite end of said bell crank lever and having a threaded bore therein for the reception of means for actuating said bell crank lever.

8. A feeder valve adapted to be mounted on the wall of a liquid reservoir for controlling entry of liquid to the reservoir, comprising a body of polygonal bar stock having a reduced cylindrical end portion, the reduced cylindrical end portion of said body being threaded and being adapted to extend through an aperture in the wall of the reservoir with which the valve is to be associated, a nut threaded to said cylindrical end portion of said body for securing said body to the wall of the reservoir, said body having an axial bore therein in said cylindrical end portion, a transverse slot extending across the opposite end thereof, an eccentric bore therein extending from said opposite end thereof toward said axial bore and a y bore therein of reduced diameter establishing communication between said eccentric bore and said axial bore and defining a valve seat at the end of said eccentric bore, a Valve mounted for reciprocation in said eccentric bore, a resilient sealing means carried by said valve member at one end thereof for cooperation with said valve seat, said valve member having a transverse slot therein extending across the opposite end thereof, a bell crank lever pivoted to said body within said slot therein to one side of said eccentric bore and having a bifurcated end portion extending in said slot in said valve member, a pin secured to said valve member and extending transversely across said slot therein and through the bifurcation of said bell crank lever, a cylindrical head secured to the opposite end of said bell crank lever and having a threaded bore therein, an actuator rod threaded to said cylindrical head, and a oat ball secured to said rod adapted to elfect actuation of said bell crank lever and said valve member in response to variations in liquid level in the reservoir.

9. A feeder valve comprising a body of hexagonal bar stock having a reduced cylindrical end portion, said body having a bore in said cylindrical end portion disposed axially of said body and said end portion, said body having a transverse slot extending across the opposite end thereof, said body having an eccentric bore therein extending from said opposite end thereof toward said axial bore, the axes of said bores being disposed in spaced parallel relation, said body having a bore therein of reduced diameter disposed axially of said eccentric bore and establishing communication between said eccentric bore and said axial bore and defining a valve seat at the end of said eccentric bore, a valve formed of square bar stock mounted for reciprocation in said eccentric bore, a resilient sealing plug carried by said valve member at one end thereof for cooperation with said valve seat, said valve member having a transverse slot therein extending across the opposite end thereof, the slotted portion of said valve member being positioned within the slotted portion of said body, a bell crank lever pivoted to said body within said slot to that side of said body opposite the eccentricity of 'said eccentric bore, a pin secured to said valve member and extending transversely across said slot therein, said lever havingY a bifurcated end portion extending in said slot in said valve member for the reception of said pin to operatively connect said bell crank lever and said valve member, a cylindrical head secured to the opposite end of said bell crank lever and having a threaded bore therein, an actuator rod threaded to said cylindrical head, and a liquid deector detachably secured to said body and extending over the end of said slot .opposite that to which said bell crank lever is pivoted.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 603,030 Ryan Apr. 26, 1898 812,337 Gray Feb. 13, 1906 854,108 Reynolds May 2l, 1907 927,100 Blake July 6, 1909 1,032,521 Wangelin July 16, 1912 1,044,408 Meyer Nov. 12, 1912 1,112,533 Griiths Oct. 6, 1914 1,150,709 Skuttle Aug. 17, 1915 1,189,054 Cannesti June 27, 1916 1,200,435 Davis Oct. 3, 1916 1,206,786 Leonhardt Nov. 28, 1916` (Other references on following page) Number' 7 VUNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Number Skuttle `uly 31, 1917 84,872 Olson Aug. 7, 1923 5 147,540 Skuttle T Oct. 2, 1928 542,826 Zinkil Apr. 25, 1939 511,713 Willits Apr. 28, 1942 S FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Switzerland May 17, 1920 Switzerland Aug. 17, 1931 Germany Ian. 28, 1932 Great Britain Aug. 23, 1939 

